Lab 1 . Part 5 - Hemostatic Forceps

Overview of Hemostatic Forceps

• used mainly to control hemorrhage from vessels
• crush tissues situated between jaws (tranumatic)

Skills to Practice

1. wide-based tripod grip
2. smooth opening and closing of the ratchet locking mechanism
3. accurate placement of tips on the end of a "cut vessel"

• variety of sizes and designs
• most have a ringed handle design and ratchet locking mechanism
• tips can be curved or straight
• curved usually preferred as easier to see tip during placement
• need periodic examination to ensure tips meet, the jaws are aligned, and the ratchet locking mechanism is secure

Halstead mosquito hemostatic forceps

• used for pinpoint control of small bleeding vessels
• transverse interdigitating grooves present along entire length of jaws
• available with curved or straight tips

Kelly and Crile hemostatic forceps

• larger, heavier hemostats
• used to grasp larger vessels or tissue 
• transverse interdigitating striations present the entire jaw length on Crile hemostats, but only on the tips with Kelly hemostats
• available with curved or straight tips

Rochester-Carmalt forceps

• large crushing hemostatic forceps used for ligating pedicles
• long, wide jaws with longitudinal grooves with fine cross striations at the tip
• design provides a secure grasp of tissue with minimal potential for cutting the tissue during removal

Wide-based tripod grip

• hemostats are held like the needle holders and scissors with a wide-based tripod grip
  • thumb and ring finger inserted in rings (tips only)
  • index finger is placed at box lock to improve tip control
  • middle finger rests on ring finger
  • tip, when curved, follows natural curve of index finger (away from palm)
  • grip facilitates maneuverability, manipulation of ratchet locking mechanism and easy finger extraction
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Wide-based tripod grip

• hemostats are held like the needle holders and scissors with a wide-based tripod grip
  • thumb and ring finger inserted in rings (tips only)
  • index finger is placed at box lock to improve tip control
  • middle finger rests on ring finger
  • tip, when curved, follows natural curve of index finger (away from palm)
  • grip facilitates maneuverability, manipulation of ratchet locking mechanism and easy finger extraction
  •